A MIDDLESBROUGH primary school has been singled out as one of the most improved in England.

High Clarence Primary School, which actually falls within the Stockton borough, was named as the 38th most improved school in the Government's league table of exam results.

All of its pupils achieved the required standard for 11-year-olds (level four) in science, with 85 per cent reaching level four in English and maths.

Across the Tees Valley, four primary schools saw 100 per cent of their pupils reaching the required standard in English, maths and science.

One of the schools is only six years old.

Suzanne Alexander-Sowa, headteacher of St Therese's of Lisieux, at Ingleby Barwick, said the great results were the result of tireless work.

The school has also won a North-East song writing competition and come top of the local football league.

She said: "The staff are just the most wonderful resource one could wish for, and we have worked tirelessly.

"Of course we are very proud, but this is one of our many varied achievements and only a part of what we do. We don't believe in hype.

"We are only six-and-a-half years old. We have been not exactly revolutionary but very much at the cutting edge. It was quite a slog in the early years."

The other schools to achieve 100 per cent were Galley Hill Primary School in Guisborough, Levendale Primary School, in Yarm, and High Coniscliffe Primary School, near Darlington.

High Coniscliffe's impressive results saw the school ranked tenth in England in the latest league tables.

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) said Hartlepool ranked second nationally for sustainable improvement.

St John the Baptist CofE VC Primary School, in Stockton, was among the top 100 sustained improvement schools in England.

Across England record numbers of 11-year-olds reached the expected standard. Levels of achievement in English, maths and science at Key Stage 2 (age 11) are at their highest yet, the DfES said.

According to the latest primary school league tables, 76 per cent of 11-year-olds achieved the expected target in mathematics in England, a rise of one per cent from last year.

Standards in science increased slightly, also up one per cent, to 87 per cent this year.

In English, 79 per cent achieved the target, the same number as last year.

However, despite the high level of achievement, key primary school targets designed to raise standards in English and maths are still being missed.

The Government had aimed to get 85 per cent of 11-year-olds in England up to the level expected of their age group this year.

Schools Minister Lord (Andrew) Adonis said the Government was determined to redouble their efforts to help the one in five 11-year-olds who were still not reaching the required standard in literacy and mathematics.